Off the cuff with Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson, like many of his peers, has swapped Test jersey for Indian Premier League colours just ahead of the tenth edition of the tournament. In a candid chat on the eve of the opener between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the New Zealand captain opens up to Cricbuzz on his favourite childhood superhero, his kind of music, a tale his grandchildren won't hear the end of and even shares tips on how to get him out. (No, really!).

How would Kane Williamson describe himself in three words?

Kane Williamson: (laughs) Goodness me... you tell me man.

It's difficult to tell from the outside. So, what is Kane Williamson according to Kane Williamson, in three words?

Uh...honestly, that's a really difficult question. I try to relax, chill and be happy.

Happy, relaxed and chill... let's go with that?

Not always... (laughs).

Test debut in India. How was that?

To get the call up is something special. Something you always dream of. And to play my debut here in India against a number of the greats of the game - Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan, MS Dhoni - it was really special. And actually something to kind of get your head around. Because you've grown up watching these guys for years, idolising these guys, still do. But to be competing against them in a game of cricket was pretty special.

You batted 291 balls across six and a half hours for your 131 on Test debut. Impressive for a 20-year-old...

It was great. Really interesting. For some reason I was quite calm in that game, I really don't know why. I suppose on your debut, you either let go and you're relaxed or you get very very nervous. In all the other debuts, I've been very, very nervous. But for some reason, I seemed to be reasonably calm. And yeah it was nice to be involved with some of those partnerships - Jesse (Ryder) got a 100, Dan (Vettori) batted for a period of time and batted really nicely. I think as a team, we played really well that game.

You're in a Test match that's washed out. What would one find Williamson doing in the dressing room?

Our last Test match, we had a bit of rain. And we played a little bit of cards, which was cool. It's a bit old-school really. As a captain, if it's a passing shower, you're on and off often, still focussed on what you might be doing, you could still be playing in half an hour or 20 minutes. But if it's a bit of a wash out and you know you're going to be in for a few hours, then there's a bit of cards or just chill with the guys.

It's a moving Day 3 of a series-deciding Test match and Kane Williamson is batting your team out of the game. What's your move?

(Laughs) What's my move? Am I bowling? That's not a good option (laughs).

You're the captain...

Uh...what have the other teams done?... I guess, I have no idea how to answer that question... maybe bowl top of off-stump length...(Laughs)

It's not that easy getting you out, is it?

I am not sure...no, no, no, that's not right. I haven't really removed myself from myself and played against myself. That's a very difficult task.

Let's just say top of off...or that it's very difficult to get you out?

I really enjoyed our 2015 World Cup. We had a really good time, and a lot of fun. Obviously there were some highlights on the field, we were really tight as a unit. There are a number of fond memories, but I'd like to think that after the game you look back and think that you've made a number of mates. And you are able to do it after the cricket, which is nice as well. The IPL provides fantastic opportunity for that with maybe with people with all over the world.

Can you pick out one memory that you'll not stop repeating?

That South African semifinal with Grant Elliott. He was incredible, played an unbelievable knock and the crowd, I think that would be something I'd never forget - the deafening crowd.

Take me through what the dressing room was like during the game?

Because of the way the ground is structured, we were all outside basically, watching it. It was very nerve-wracking. We were probably a little bit behind the game and it took that partnership with Grant, and Corey (Anderson) batted nicely I think, and there were some small partnerships that sort of edged our way closer to the win. Yeah, but then the six off the last ball or whatever it was, unbelievable.

I was very excited. I think it was odd, because in the previous match against Australia, we were in sort of a similar position, but being out in the middle, you're bit more calm. And being on the sidelines, you're far more nervous and just ultra-excited. When it (win) happened though, it was a great day for New Zealand cricket.

Would you describe yourself as a reader?

Yes

What was the last book you read?

Umm... I sort of read a number of different books really. Often books that are fairly informative, not too many stories as such. The odd biography. But it does vary.

How do you rate Steven Smith, Joe Root and Virat Kohli? What's your 1,2 and 3?

They're all world class. I think Steven Smith in Test cricket is playing a different game, isn't he? He's got to be right up there. Virat in ODI cricket... I mean in all formats those three are brilliant. But those two, Virat probably will be #1 in ODIs. Smith in Test cricket would have to be #1. Joe Root's got to be up there in both. He's a brilliant player as well. That's a very, very tough question but great to see those three doing so well in all formats. The way they're able to adapt their game.

One cricketer, current or ex, you'd pay good money to go and watch?

I always enjoyed watching Sachin... Ricky Ponting. Those two will be right up there to watch for me.

Toughest bowler you've faced?

I think everybody at the international level is a good bowler...

Alright, the toughest spell you've faced?

Yeah...I've faced a very tough spell against Dale Steyn early on, about four years ago. He bowled very fast, but I was fortunate to spend most of the spell down at the other end.

If you had to pick one contemporary cricketer from a different country to be your New Zealand teammate, who'd that be?

One player... I'll have to choose any overseas player from Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Who is generally your roommate on tour?

We don't have roommates..no (laughs).

Who is next door all the time?

Someone I spend a lot of time with? We've got a great team culture. We spend a lot of time with all the guys, but one of my best mates, both on and off the field would be BJ Watling. I spend a lot of time with him.

I can't say one... Moises Henriques is one I get along with really well. Davey Warner, Ben Cutting... Ben Laughlin has just joined the side. Shikhar, Yuvi, Bhuvi... they're all great. I do spend a lot of time with the overseas guys, apart from the ones from your own country. Chris Jordan as well, yeah.

If I walked into the room of a young Kane Williamson, what posters would I find on the walls?

I think I had one of Matthew Hayden... Tendulkar. Kallis maybe, yeah.

Anything that's not cricket?

I always enjoyed my basketball. So NBA players as well. Even surfers perhaps.

Do you have a favourite kind of music?

I am a big fan of Mumford and Sons (An English rock band from London, formed in 2007).

Pre-game ritual or superstition?

I probably do a little bit without realising, I guess. It's come along and become quite natural, but nothing particularly, no.

If not cricket, which sport would you have taken up professionally?

Always loved my basketball. Probably not tall enough to take it too far (laughs) but that is another sport I am really passionate about.

Best memory of your dad coaching you?

He was always right into his cricket. We used to go to a place that was sort of near the beach where I come from (Tauranga). I used to try and play cricket as much as I could there and he would give me throw downs.

Now that he's retired, have you managed to borrow Brendon McCullum's captaincy notes?

(laughs) He doesn't have any notes, that's the problem. It's all on the top of his head. I still talk to him regularly.

You guys catch up on some game that's just gone by?

Yeah, we're mates, we ring each other or catch up. We catch up during the IPL, which is cool as well.

Did you know you have six T20I wickets? Can you remember who was your last victim?

(Laughs) No idea...

It happened in January...

January... oh, against Bangladesh... was it an actual batsman?

Yes..middle-order bat

Shakib?

No... Sabbir Rahman. Do you remember your first wicket? It was in 2012?

2012? Was it against West Indies?

I'll give you the country... Zimbabwe... he's been there for a long time... senior player.